International Football History and Statistics

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On this day in football history

1887 Blackpool founded as 'Blackpool St. Johns'. Elected to the Second Division of the Football League in 1896 but after three seasons failed to gain re-election. In the same year they amalgamated with South Shore and were re-elected as simply Blackpool in 1900 and have been in continuous membership ever since. Promoted for the first time in 1930 as Second Division champions, relegated in 1933 and gained promotion for the second time in 1937.

1920 Liverpool signed John McNab. A fine half back he was in their League Championship teams of 1922 and 1923 and played for Scotland against Wales in the latter year. Moved to Queens Park Rangers in 1928 and spent two seasons with that club before leaving the League scene. Played in 253 matches and scored 9 goals.

1922 Jesse Whatley, Bristol Rovers goalkeeper, began a run of 246 consecutive League matches which lasted until Easter 1928 and was a record for a goalie until beaten by Ted Ditchburn of Spurs in 1954. He spent the whole of his career with Rovers and joined them at the end of the First War when they were in the Southern League and played his last first team games in 1930. Appeared in 14 Southern League and 371 Football League matches.

1944 Death of Sam Jennings who was in his early forties. He was a strong and whole hearted centre forward who served a number of Football League clubs between 1920 and 1932. Began with Middlesbrough in 1920 and moved to Reading in 1921 where he topped their goal scoring list for three seasons before joining West Ham United. His next club was Brighton & Hove Albion where he remained for four years being leading scorer in his first two. Spent 1928-29 with Nottingham Forest and the next two seasons with Port Vale and, again, was top club scorer in each of those three years. Transferred to Burnley in 1931 in what was to be his last year in League football and mid-way through moved to Stockport County where he ended his career. In all he had played in 349 matches and scored 175 goals.

1953 When Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeper had to leave the field injured in the First Division match against Preston North End at Deepdale, left back Norman Curtis took over the position. During the remainder of the match he saved two penalties but even this unusual feat did not prevent Wednesday losing 6-0.